Opinion: Every newly hired NFL head coach still has at least one question left to answer

This week brought a flurry of NFL coaching hires, with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Miami Dolphins standing as the only teams left with vacancies. But outside of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' hiring of Bruce Arians, it’s hard to see many slam dunks just yet.

These things do often take time – if teams are willing to afford coaches that. But for now, more questions than answers loom over many of the franchises making moves.

I’ve spent the week talking to opposing coaches, team officials and current and former players to build an understanding of each hire and the questions that are still lingering.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

Green Bay Packers – Matt LaFleur

The first to be hired this cycle, LaFleur has worked under some talented coaches, including Mike Shanahan, Gary Kubiak, Kyle Shanahan, Dan Quinn and Sean McVay. After one year as the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive coordinator, he jumped to the Tennessee Titans in 2018 so he could gain experience calling plays.

Biggest question: Does he have what it takes to command the respect of Aaron Rodgers and other established veterans? Some around the league view him as talented but in need of additional seasoning. It would be wise for the team to partner LaFleur, 39, with a well-seasoned top assistant, just as the Rams did for McVay with Wade Phillips. Holdover defensive coordinator Mike Pettine could be critical for that role.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Bruce Arians

Not everyone prizes youth over experience, as the Bucs went for one of most veteran quarterback groomers available in the former Arizona Cardinals coach who retired last year. The 66-year-old Arians has helped guide Ben Roethlisberger, Andrew Luck and an aging Carson Palmer to success.

Biggest question: Can he turn the wildly inconsistent Jameis Winston into an elite quarterback? Arians might be the right guy for the task. The two already have a great relationship. They met when Winston attended Arians' high school football camp in Birmingham, Alabama. Arians could help Winston mature as a person and player — or mold his replacement if it doesn't work out.

Cleveland Browns – Freddie Kitchens

Some expected general manager John Dorsey to tab good friend and former Packers colleague Mike McCarthy for this role. Instead, he went with Kitchens, who capitalized on the promotion from running backs coach to interim offensive coordinator despite having never served as a play-caller.

Biggest question: Can he parlay his short-term success into winning as a head coach in the long haul? Drawing on his diverse coaching background (he coached quarterbacks running backs and tight ends at different points for Arians in Arizona), Kitchen has shown he has a higher ceiling than many believed. He relates well to players, and his fast bond with quarterback Baker Mayfield earned him points. But a lot changes when you go from overseeing one area to the entire operation.

Denver Broncos – Vic Fangio

The only defensive hire thus far. Well-respected around the league, Fangio, 60, has produced formidable defenses, including a Chicago Bears group this year that allowed the fewest points of any team. Serving in a top job for the first time in his career, he will try to bring the same success to a Broncos squad that has floundered since Peyton Manning retired.

Biggest question: Can he quickly restore the Broncos? John Elway had little patience with Vance Joseph after consecutive losing seasons. Elway wants a quick fix, believing this team isn’t far off from contending. His post-Super Bowl personnel moves haven’t exactly panned out. How much blame Fangio will draw if things don’t change in a hurry?

Arizona Cardinals introduce their new head coach Kliff Kingsbury during a press conference on Jan. 9 at the Cardinals Training Facility in Tempe, Ariz.(Photo: Rob Schumacher, The Arizona Republic/USA TODAY NETWORK)

Arizona Cardinals – Kliff Kingsbury

No hire raised more eyebrows. Determined to find the next hot name in coaching, general manager Steve Keim fired Steve Wilks after one season and hired Kingsbury, who went 35-40 at Texas Tech and was dismissed. But he’s considered a great offensive mind, and that’s what matters most to the Cardinals, whose attack finished last in the NFL in almost every statistical category.

Biggest question: What makes him qualified? Many agree that Kingsbury drew up some innovative passing concepts at Texas Tech. But in the NFL, the run game and defense also have to be addressed sufficiently. Also, he has never worked an NFL practice or planning meeting. He’s unfamiliar with the personnel across the league, and he admits his NFL coaching Rolodex is rather limited. A significant challenge awaits, as this Cardinals roster has very little existing talent.

New York Jets – Adam Gase

After going 10-6 and reaching the playoffs in his first year, Gase and the Dolphins endured back-to-back losing seasons. Injuries partly were to blame, but Gase also clashed with his bosses at various points, according to multiple reports. He didn't have to wait long to find work because the Jets – seeking an offensive-minded coach to groom Sam Darnold – turned to him.

Biggest question: Is he indeed the quarterback guru he’s viewed as? Two seasons as Peyton Manning’s offensive coordinator in Denver helped Gase build the reputation as a top mind. Yet his track record since then (21st-ranked offense in Chicago and Miami units that averaged a 26th-place ranking) raises questions about the validity of his expertise. He made believers out of Jets brass, however, as they chose him over McCarthy, who has a more proven track record. One big potential obstacle for Gase: nothing about Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan’s history of personnel moves suggests he can assemble a championship-caliber roster.

Additional thoughts

It’s obviously too early to tell, but in their haste to find the next Sean McVay – pouncing on those young, innovative offensive minds – team officials must remember this is only Step 1. McVay will quickly point out that his talented coaching staff and roster also have fueled their success. Being young and having a great imagination doesn’t cut it.

Lastly, where’s the diversity? Five minority head coaches were fired, dropping the league-wide total to three. Thus far no coaches of color have been hired.

Two vacancies remain, though the Cincinnati Bengals have zeroed in on Los Angeles Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Taylor, according to multiple reports. Minorities do rank among the leading candidates in Miami (with the Dallas Cowboys' Kris Richard and New England Patriots' Brian Flores being top contenders). But as a whole, the Rooney Rule once again is proving largely ineffective. Again, we’re reminded about the need for a stronger talent pipeline. More opportunities for minority position coaches to climb the coordinator ranks will in turn produce more head coaching opportunities. As Kitchens’ situation proves: a coach can often get pegged in a particular role, but all he needs is an opportunity.

Chicago Bears strong safety Adrian Amos (38) celebrates with defensive back Sherrick McManis (27) after an interception against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first half of a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Soldier Field. Mike Dinovo, USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) celebrates while leaving the field after the Chargers' game against the Baltimore Ravens in a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) catches a pass during the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens in a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Tommy Gilligan, USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) reacts after making a first down during the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens in a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Tommy Gilligan, USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Chargers celebrate in the end zone after safety Adrian Phillips (31) second quarter interception against the Baltimore Ravens in a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Tommy Gilligan, USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) changes the play at the line during thew first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens in a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Tommy Gilligan, USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) reacts to running to the 1-yard line in the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium. Prescott would punch it in himself as the Cowboys went on to a 24-22 win. Tim Heitman, USA TODAY Sports

Seattle Seahawks kicker Sebastian Janikowski (11) reacts after suffering an apparent injury while attempting to kick a field goal against the Dallas Cowboys at the end of the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Sports

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore (23) reacts after an interception against the Houston Texans in the first half in a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports

Houston Texans nose tackle Brandon Dunn (92) reacts after intercepting a pass against the Indianapolis Colts in the first half in a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Thomas Shea, USA TODAY Sports

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) drops back to pass against the Houston Texans in the first quarter in a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Thomas Shea, USA TODAY Sports